I Am Chosen
I am not an athlete. Most of my sports knowledge came by watching from the bench without playing. Yet, I love sports! In fact, I love watching sports and often coach from the comfort of my couch. Even the sports I have never played, like hockey! I am not sure what it is: the amazing athletic condition of the athletes, the competition of the sport, or the discipline it takes for them to earn a spot on the team. Regardless, I pull for my team each season to win and go to the championships!
In our western culture, our mindset is often quite similar. We work hard. Therefore, we should be winning! We are disciplined. Therefore, we should be promoted. We are committed. Therefore, we should be considered.
Isn’t it interesting that we often throw these very same expectations upon God regarding our spiritual walk?
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
We are a chosen people. Chosen. It means that even when we are not winning, God still wants us on his team. It means that even if we are not disciplined, God still has a plan specific to each of us. It means that even when we are not at our best and spiritually flabby, out of shape and not fueling ourselves properly, God still considers each of us to be special.
For most of us, we know this! It’s in those seasons of life when we are looked over, passed over, or pulled over on the access road of our lives, that it is hard to remember that God still chooses us. Why is that?
Often times, we listen to the other words spoken over us that seemingly align with our circumstances and our attitudes. The ones that contradict the words God speaks. So how do we reverse those thoughts?
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REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE: You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession.
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YOU HAVE A GOD ORDAINED PURPOSE: Declare the praises of him who called you.
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HE LOVES YOU EVEN THOUGH: Remember that he called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. He will help you from stumbling back there.
It’s time to square your shoulders. Take a deep breath, tuck your uniform top back in and get off the bench. It doesn’t matter that you have not played in a while. It doesn’t matter that you honestly have not finished reading the book that holds the plays. God chose you for this team. For this season. For a reason. Remind yourself that “I am chosen” because of the I AM that lives in you.
- Jamie Keith